Clothes sprinkler



p 1942- E. A; EBERT 2,296,814

CLOTHES SPRINKLER Filed Jan. 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 22, 1942-E. A. EBERT CLOTHES SPRINKLER Filed Jan. 10, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Sept. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOTHES SPRINKLEREdward A. Ebert, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application January 10, 1940, Serial No. 313,276

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic sprinkler adapted moreparticularly, but not necessarily so limited, to the sprinkling ofclothes to condition them for ironing.

The main object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler which willenable rapid and thorough sprinkling of clothes with a minimum ofeffort.

Another object is to provide a sprinkler which will operate on housecurrent, either alternating or direct current, and which isautomatically rendered operative when turned to a sprinkling positionand inoperative when occupying a rest position.

A further object is to provide a sprinkler which is simple and light inconstruction and reliable in operation.

One other object is to provide a sprinkler which consumes a minimumamount of current and is always ready for immediate use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, drawings and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the automatic clothes sprinkler.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the sprinkler, tilted into anoperative position, taken along line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross section, taken along line 4-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the electrodes, taken along line 5-5,Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modification with parts broken away.

Fig. '7 is a section taken along line Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a modified form of heating element.

Referring now to the drawings, the sprinkler comprises a .container lpreferably molded of glass, which has threads H at its upper or openend. A cap or spray head l2, having threads l3 and preferably molded ofinsulating material, is screwed onto the threads H of the container I].An inner flange I4 is provided in the cap |2 against which a gasket orseal member I is compressed by the mouth of the container l0.

Spray holes l8 are provided on the front side of the cap l2 and arelocated in such positions radially so as to give a satisfactory spraypattern on the clothes being sprinkled, the size and number of holes, ofcourse, determining the amount of wetting.

Above the cap or spray head I2 is mounted a cover member |6 alsopreferably molded of insulating material and having 2. depending handleI1 which slants at an angle downwardly and to the left as shown in Fig.2, and which also slants away from the container ID, as shown in Fig. 1.

This handle I1 is hollow and an electric cord 23 is passed through it tothe terminals 2| and 22 under the cover I6. The live terminals 2| and 22thus cannot be contacted by the hands of the operator.

Under the cap or sprayhead I2 is mounted an enclosure 34, preferablymade of insulating material, which is provided with a gasket 35. A pairof screws 33 pass through openings provided in the cover Hi and alignedopenings in a top wall 25 of the spray head I2 and are threaded intoholes 26 in the enclosure 34. Thus, the three members, the cover 5 whichis part of the handle H, the spray head |2 through its top wall 25 andthe enclosure 34 are rigidly clamped together.

A tubular member or pipe 38, which is carried by the enclosure 34,slants downwardly to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, when the sprinkleris in a position of rest and, when the sprinkler is held in an operativeposition, extends above the level of the liquid in the container ID, asshown in Fig. 3. The angle of the pipe 38 should be determined so thatthe outlet will be positioned as close as is practical to that portionof the wall of the container l0 which is uppermost when the container istilted to its operative position. The inner end of the pipe 38 connectsto that portion of the enclosure 34 which is uppermost when in use.

The enclosure 34 forms a chamber 31 which encloses the electrode posts43 and 4|, the post 40 having the terminal 2| and the post 4| having theterminal 22. Nuts 42 and 43 serve to establish an electrical connectionbetween the wires 44 and 45 of the cord 20 and also mount the posts 40and 4| on the upper wall 25 of the spray head I2. Washers 46 seal theelectrode posts against the top wall 25 to prevent leakage.

Plates or electrodes 3| and 32 are held in slots 41 in the posts 43 and4| by swedging the metal against the plates by means of a chisel-liketool which leaves the tool marks shown at 48.

A metering orifice 50 serves to communicate the chamber 31 with thefluid in the container I0 when it is tilted to an operative position.

The container ID is preferably enveloped at its bottom with a sheath ofrubber or similar material, which insulates the container from the handsif it should be hot when being removed, from the cap |2, to be refilled.It also cushions the glass container ||J avoiding breakage andpreventing the marring of any surface it contacts.

Operation shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, while the pipe 38 is stillslanting downwardly water which filled the lower portion thereof isdrained off, the pipe being at such an angle that as it approaches'ahorizontal position the level of the water falls below its end. Thisprevents water from running down the pipe and flooding the chamber 31.

As soon as a sufiicient head of water isdevelo'ped bytiltingthe'sprinkler, wateris' forced in a metered jetthrougli the-'orifi'ce'50ibetween the electrode" plates 3| and 32 which turns thewater intosteam'because of the potential across them. The steam thus createdfollows'up'the' pipe 36 and createsa back pressure on the water in theicontainer l and moves it forcibly out of'the spray holes l8 in thespray head I2.

By movin the sprinkler fastor slow over the object being sprinkled anydesired amount of dampness can be had.

The sprinkler is thenr'e'sted inan upright position' and water, ofcourse, does not flow between the electrodes because it has returned tothe bottom of the container.

To take advantage of the fact that the electrodes continue to' generatesteam for a short time after thesprinkle'ris' returned to itsnormalposition they are mounted horizontally to prevent the water fromdraining oif. Thus, after having been in action once the electrodes areheated and since steam is being generated'the action is instantaneousthereafter unless too long an interval permits them to dry on.

Also, the metering hole 50 is of such a size that the electrodes 3| and32 can never be overloaded or flooded with large quantities of water. Ifthe electrodes were flooded it would take a while for them to heat alarge quantity of water to the boiling point where steam would begenerated. This would make the sprinkler sluggish in action. It will benoted that, although the steam generating unit is automatically renderedoperative when the sprinkler is tilted to a spraying position, it will,nevertheless, be automatically rendered inoperative when the sprinklerbecomes empty. This will indicate that the sprinkler should be refilledand also provides a safety feature.

I prefer to make the electrode posts 40 and 4| and electrode plates 3|and 32 of stainless steel or similar non-corrosive metal or material toprevent discoloration and contamination of the water in the sprinkler.Since such a small amount of water is needed for steam generation andsince most of it recondenses, this being practically distilled water,the discoloration and contamination of the water would be very small ifit did occur.

The electrodes 3! and 32 are of rectangular shape with one endconcentric with the axis of the chamber 31. The reason for making themof this shape is to turn into steam any water that accumulates in thebottom of the chamber 3l and also to permit steam, in the upper part ofthe chamber 31, free access to the opening in the pipe 38. This permitsthe steam to more or less free itself from large drops of water whichtend to create a percolation in the pipe 36 and create a back pressure,preventing the flow of a steady jet of water into chamber 31 from theorifice 50. A smoother operating sprinkler is thus obtained. It willalso be noted that with this shape the electrodes can economically bestamped from continuous strips of uniform width,

Since steam is blown against the bottom of the container H] from thepipe 38 it gets quite hot when it is almost empty. To avoid burning thehands when it is desirable to remove the container to refill it, therubber sheath is provided. As stated before, this sheath acts as aninsulator and also prevents breakage of the container besides preventingthe marring of surfacesthe sprinkl'er rests upon.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that it is impossible to contactany live wires or charged metal parts-since they are all enclosed byparts made of non-conducting material. Also it is necessary to unscrewthe spray head from the container to refill it which means that the"operr: ator leaves'that portion of the device connected to current, outof contact with the hands when the container is filled withwater.

It has been found that much' effort can be eliminated by setting thehandle l1 atthe angles shown in Figs. 1 and2. Instead of having to twistthe arm all the way to the shoulder as with a conventional pitcherhandle, only a simple the preceding Figs. 1-5 with the exception ofiahand switch, generally indicated at fifi, in the handle Ha. In thisconstruction the handle Ila is provided with a channel El which receivesaswitch lever 62, which is pivoted near its upper end at 63- Springcontact members and 66 are mounted on an extension 610i theJEVeIE-Zwhich extends into and under the cover member l6 and overtheterminals-21 and 22. Aspi ing H normally urges the switch lever 62 awaythe handle Fla and the spring-'-contactmembers 65 and 66 away from the'terminals 2 l "and-22.

In operation when the h a'ndle is gripped by the operator the switchlever 62 is m'oved-intotl ie channel 64 o'f the handle I 1a and thespringcontact members 65 and 66 contact the terminals- 2| and 22",therebyprovi'din'g them with current from the wires 44and" 35"of thecord-2B. Wh'en t'he sprinkler is brought *to rest and the handle ra.leased'the contacts 65 and" 66' are disengaged from the terminals 2 and22 and current is cut off.

The construction sl-iown i n Fig; 6 has the-ad'- vantage that theheating element is energized when the 'handle l Td, is clasped} Theresistance element 10 therefore ha's an opport'unit'y to become heatedwhile the sprinkler is b'ei'ngtipped to its sprinkling position. Thewater, therefore;

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device havinga normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperativeposition, a spray head carried by and communicating with said containerand into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to saidoperative position, an electric heating element for automaticallyvaporizing a portion only of said liquid, said heating element beingsupported in said container so that it is located above the level ofsaid liquid in the inoperative position of said device and below thelevel of the liquid in the operative position, and circuit means forenergizing said element when said device is tipped to said operativeposition, whereby to create a vapor pressure in the container to expelthe liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

2. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device havinga normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperativeposition, a spray head carried by and communicating with said containerand into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to saidoperative position, a vaporizing chamber having an inlet for permittinga restricted flow of said liquid into said chamber and an outlet throughwhich vapor may escape, an electric heating element for vaporizing theliquid entering said chamber, said heating element being supported insaid container so that it is located above the level of said liquid inthe inoperative position of said device and below the level of th liquidin the operative position, and circuit means for energizing said elementwhen said device is tipped to said operative position, whereby to createa vapor pressure in the container to expel the liq uid from said head inthe form of a spray.

3. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device havinga normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperative potainerwhich is located above the level of said liquid when the containeroccupies said position of rest, an open restricted passage through whichsaid chamber communicates with the interior of said container andthrough which said liquid may enter said chamber when the device istipped to said operative position, a heating element for vaporizing theliquid which enters said chamber, circuit means for energizing saidheating element when the device is tipped to said operative position anda tube having one end communicating with said chamber and the other solocated that it extends above the level of the liquid when the device istipped to said last named position, whereby to conduct the vaporgenerated in said chamber without substantial condensation to a pointabove the liquid to create a pressure which will expel the liquid fromsaid head in the form of a spray.

4. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, a spray headcarried by and communicating with said container and into which saidliquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, aheating element for vaporizing a portion of said liquid and a circuitfor furnishing power to said element, said element having spacedelectrodes which are included in said circuit, which are supported outof contact with respect to said liquid in the inoperative position ofthe device and which are electrically connected by said liquid toautomatically close said circuit when the device is tipped to saidoperative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure in the containerto expel the liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

5. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, a spray headcarried by and communieating with said container and into which saidliquid flows when the device is moved to said operative position, avaporizing chamber having a restricted passage through which a smallamount of said liquid is permitted to enter the chamber when the deviceis tipped to.said operative position, an electric heating element forvaporizing the liquid which enters said chamber, a circuit forfurnishing power to said heating element, said element having spacedelectrodes which are included in said circuit, which are supported outof contact with respect to said liquid in the inoperative position ofthe device and which are electrically connected by the liquid toautomatically close said circuit when the device is tipped to saidoperative position and a conduit having one end communicating with saidchamber and the other extending above the level of the liquid when thedevice is tipped to said last named position, whereby to conduct thevapor without substantial condensation to a point above the liquid tocreate a pressure which will expel the liquid from said head in the formof a spray.

6. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said containerhaving a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperativeposition, a spray head carried by and communicating with said containerand into which said liquid flows when the device is moved to saidoperative position, a vaporizing chamber in said container which islocated above the level of said liquid when the container occupies saidposition of rest, an open restricted passage through which said chambercommunicates with the interior of said container and through which saidliquid may enter said chamber when the device is tipped to saidoperative position, a heating element for vaporizing the liquid whichenters said chamber, a circuit for furnishing power to said heatingelement, said element having spaced electrodes which are included insaid circuit, which are located in said chamber and which areelectrically connected by said liquid to automatically close saidcircuit when the device is tipped to said operative position and a tubehaving one end communicating with said chamber and the other so locatedthat it extends above the level of the liquid when the device is tippedto said last named position, whereby to conduct the vapor'generated insaid chamber withoutsubstantial condensation to a point above the liquidto create a pressure which will expel the liquid from said head in theform of a spray.

7.'A' device of the characterdescribed having operative andinoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, a spray headcarried by and communicating with'said container and into which saidliquid'flows when the device is moved to said operativeposition, aheating element for vaporizing a portion of said liquid and a circuitfor furnishing power to said element, said element comprising two seriesof plates of opposite polarity disposed in condenser-like arrangementand supported so that they are held'out of contact with respect to saidliquid'in said inoperative position of. the device'and which areelectrically connected by said liquid to close said circuit when thedevice is tipped to said operative position, whereby to create a vaporpressure in the container to expel the liquid from said head in the formof a spray.

8. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displaced with respect to one another andincluding a container for the liquid to be sprinkled, said device havinga normal position 01 a rest which corresponds to said inoperativeposition, a spray head carried by and communicating with said containerand into which said liquid flows when the'device ismoved to saidoperative position, an electric heating element for vaporizing a portiononly ofsaidliquid to create-a vapor pressure in the container, wherebyto expel the liquid from said head-in the form of aspray, said heatingelement being supportedi'n said container so that it is located abovethelevel of said liquid in the inoperative position of said device andbelow the level'of the liquid in the operative position,circuit'means'for energizing said heating element, and-a handle'formanipulating said device, said: handle, in. the position of rest of thedevice; being located belowsaid spray head and at the side of saidcontainer and being angularly inclined. with respect to the vertical,whereby, with respect to the direction in which the device is turned totip it from said position of rest to said operative position; the lowerend of the handle-is located in advance of the upper end.

9. A device of the character described having operative and inoperativepositions which are angularly displacedlwith respect to'one. another andincluding a container for the liquid. to be sprinkled, said devicehaving: a normal position of rest which corresponds to said inoperativeposition, a

spray head carried by and communicating with said container and intowhich said liquid flows when the deviceismoved. to said operativeposition, an electric heating element which is supported in thecontainer so that it is located above the level of said liquid in theinoperative position of said device and below the level of the liquid inthe operative position, and circuit means for energizing said element tovaporize a portion of said liquid when the devicelis. tipped to saidoperative position, whereby to create a vapor pressure which will expelthe liquid from said head in the form of a spray.

EDWARD A. EBERT.

